Monday, October 3, 2016

Side Event OSCE 26 Sept 2016 ORIW

Title:Announcement of annual report of ORIW in French Country in Europe

Convenor:Organisation Racism and
Islamophobia Watch (ORIW)

Working
languages:English, French

ORIW defined “Islamophobia” as “Intolerance motivated by
fear, hate speech and acts of violence”. The fear is “fear of the other”. In
2014, 33 acts of violence. In 2015, 429. Examples of hate were objection to
halal meat and Islamic clothing. One anecdote was a man who feared eating halal
meat would make him Muslim! But shouldn’t a free people have a right to choose
instead of a “racist” response?

IMMIGRATION:

It’s Islamophobic to fight the “flood of immigrants coming
into the country”. It’s an outrage for Europeans to say they prefer Christian
immigrants.It is not true that there is
criminality and danger in immigrant camps. It is the European failure to help
the immigrants properly that is causing the aggression.The solution is interfaith dialogue and
education to overcome fear, (the root of the problem).

Every time “something happens” the adverse reaction against
Muslims is like “pouring oil on the fire”. The fires of xenophobia are fanned
by the right wing press. They publish stories that reinforce prejudice and
hostility to Muslims: such as stories that the immigrants threaten the identity
of France.

SECULARISM

The French state cannot be secular. It needs to treat all religions
“even -handedly”.A completely secular
state is impossible. The Secular state stigmatizes Muslims. This stigmatization
must be fought at three levels:

·Legal

·Non-racist forms of legislation

·Muslim organizations to fight Islamophobia

TERRORISM AND ISLAM

Any tie between Islam and terrorism is rejected. Counter
terrorism such as “de-radicalizing” programs or searches only leads to further
radicalization.Muslims are your allies
to fight extremism. To fight Islamophobia is to fight terrorism. We will help
you marginalize the Extremists, and after all, Muslims are the victims of
extremist attacks as well. Muslims are a permanent part of French society

Terrorism can be understood and fought. Bad schools lead to
terrorism. Injustice to Muslims and denial of human rights means the terrorists
“win”

JAMANA SBATA

Intolerance against Muslims is generic. Societies must
respect Islam. The mandate of the 57 States is consensus based.

1.Hate crimes and discrimination

a.Training police and prosecutors

b.Recognizing hate speech

c.Examining freedom of criticism

2.Tolerance and non-discrimination

ODHIRHate crime
reporting

·Data

·Website (Nov 16th)

DATA BACKGROUND

·Attacks in countries spike trends against
Muslims

·Security policies in relation to Muslim Human
Rights

·Political narratives that demonize Muslims/Faith
in the media. One sided views

·Muslim Communities don’t feel safe

Europe must reject racism and xenophobia which goes against
the principles of Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

CORDOBA DECLARATION

Intolerance and discrimination against Muslims: guides
actions of specific states. Muslims must participate.

All forms of terrorism linked to Islam must be
rejected.We must build democratic
societies where Muslims feel safe.

The concept that there is an “immigrant invasion of Europe”
and the attack in Nice are being used to justify violations against Muslim
human rights. This “radicalizes” the youth and is “pouring oil on the fire”.

Society says we can’t be anti-Semitic but maintains
structural Islamophobia or denies it exists.

·Authorities create it

·Anti-burkini creates radicalization

·To say “Islam is a Trojan horse” fuels racism
amongst low knowledge people. It is a new form of racism

·Intolerance is grounded in freedom of expression

A hate crime is something that’s already a crime that has a
hateful motive attached: a bias having to do with race, religion or sexual
preference.

Comment: Steve once again tried to pin them for a definition
of Islamophobia and this time got a sociological definition that alluded to
irrational fear of Islamic clothing.